This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

The neglect of a patient

Posted By oscarhf56

"The neglect of a patient"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a friend),

My dear friend who was presenting to Geraldton Regional Hospital for 6 months or more for stomach pain has since died from Stomach cancer.

I believe their duty of care failed a young parent. I believe dismissing their symptoms and in my opinion, rushing them through triage just to move on to the next patient.

I understand emergency is demanding and hectic at times but why would they keep on returning just to get sent home with Panadol, which, from my understanding, they could not take anyway because it made them spew.

I was told the cancer was so aggressive that they were diagnosed two weeks before they died. I believe they knew my friend had a family history of stomach cancer as their parent died two years prior, yet still, it seemed nothing was done for them.  My friend had weight loss, severe indigestion, couldn’t eat properly, would get pain from eating small amounts.

I was lead to believe they did not do the right testing for them earlier on. When they finally did an ultrasound, it appears it was too late, they were flown to Perth to be told they are dying, the agonising pain they were in I believe was the cancer spreading.

So my question is why? Who is held accountable for not doing a thorough job or diagnosis?

In my opinion, Geraldton Regional hospital, you have failed a young child who now has no parent. I believe so much more should have been done but it wasn’t. My friend died shortly after their birthday towards the end of last year.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Allan Pelkowitz, Regional Medical Director, Medical Services, WA Country Health Services Midwest 3 years ago
Allan Pelkowitz
Regional Medical Director, Medical Services,
WA Country Health Services Midwest

Submitted on 28/01/2021 at 10:42 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:44 AM

picture of Allan Pelkowitz

Dear oscarhf56,

First and foremost, I offer my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your dear friend. It is never easy to lose someone but is made all the harder when they are young and leave behind a family.

Your account is very troubling, particularly your understanding that their symptoms were dismissed and not treated. Unfortunately, it is difficult to look into the situation surrounding specific cases without patient details, and when someone is making an enquiry on behalf of another person, we are unable to release information without written consent. I acknowledge that in the case of your friend, this is now impossible.

Your friend’s next of kin may wish to make contact with me if they have concerns regarding the care your friend received and their call would be very welcome. If this is something they would like to do my name is Dr Allan Pelkowitz and I can be contacted on 9956 8742 or email Allan.Pelkowitz@health.wa.gov.au.

I recognise that times ahead will be very difficult for you and your friend’s family as you grieve. If you are in need of support, there are organisations that will be able to help you in this time. They include:

· Grief Centre of WA who can be reached on 0404 658 052. Their website is https://www.griefcentrewa.org.au/

· Lifeline WA who can be reached on 9261 4444, or they can be emailed at reception@lifelinewa.org.au. More information can also be found at https://www.lifelinewa.org.au/Services/Bereavement-counselling

Again, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please be reassured that I will be certain to raise your feedback with the emergency team.

Kind Regards,

Dr Allan Pelkowitz

Regional Medical Director

WACHS Midwest

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k